Dog Diarrhea Treatment

Your dog has diarrhea. What do you do? Dog diarrhea treatment varies depending on the type of diarrhea your dog is experiencing.

The most common variant is uncomplicated acute diarrhea that can be treated at home. Keep reading to learn how.

Liquid Fast

If your dog has had more than two incidents of diarrhea, a 24-hour liquid fast will allow the gastrointestinal tract to recover quickly. Give no solid food during this period, but make sure your dog remains hydrated by offering plenty of fresh water (served at room temperature, not ice-cold) and lukewarm chicken or vegetable broth (skim off any fat).

You can also try rice congee, an Asian rice soup that is helpful in all types of gastrointestinal irritation. Combine one cup of regular white rice (not the quick-cooking kind) with five cups of water and boil for half an hour.

Give only the liquid initially (if your dog won't drink the rice water, try adding a little honey or chicken broth for flavor). After the first 24 hours, start feeding the congee with the rice as you transition to the bland diet described below.

Note: Young puppies, toy breeds, and other dogs prone to hypoglycemia should be fasted no longer than 12 hours at the most.

Bland Diet

The following home-cooked bland diet can be started after the 12-24 hour liquid fast or immediately if you prefer not to fast your dog for medical reasons.

• 2/3 very well cooked white rice or oatmeal
• 1/3 lean chicken or hamburger meat (boil to remove any fat)

Add: Probiotics and canned pumpkin or boiled sweet potato (see below).

Initially, feed small amounts up to 5-6 times a day. Gradually increase meal size and decrease meal frequency. Continue this home-cooked for at least a couple of days after your dog's diarrhea has cleared up.

Note: This is not a balanced diet. It is intended only as a temporary dog diarrhea treatment. Do not feed longer than two weeks.

Probiotics

Add a probiotic supplement to replenish the beneficial bacteria residing in your dog's digestive tract. While supplements intended for humans will work, a probiotic supplement for dogs that contains bacteria specific to the canine GI tract is preferable.

Continue probiotic supplementation for at least a month (ideally longer) following your dog's bout of diarrhea to restore a healthy microbial balance in the intestines.

Fiber

In cases of diarrhea originating in the large intestine (see Dog Diarrhea Causes for a list of symptoms), adding small amounts of fiber to the diet can help "firm things up."

Some recommend canned pumpkin (be sure to purchase plain pumpkin without spices, sugar, or other additives) to be particularly effective, but boiled sweet potato (best if overcooked) works too.

Give 1 rounded teaspoon for toy breeds, 2 rounded teaspoons for small dogs, 1 rounded tablespoon for medium dogs, 2 rounded tablespoons for large dogs, 3 rounded tablespoons for very large dogs, and 4 rounded tablespoons for giant breeds. Can be added to food or fed separately.

Tip: If your dog is having loose, pudding-like stools, adding some canned pumpkin to your dog's regular food may be the only diarrhea treatment needed. This is particularly true if there's no increased urgency to defecate or increased frequency of bowel movements. If the pumpkin doesn't solve the problem, you can always try the liquid fast and/or the bland diet next.

When to Call Your Vet

Most cases of dog diarrhea are temporary and caused by minor irritations of the gastrointestinal tract. But diarrhea can also be a sign of serious illness. While there's no need to see your vet every time your dog has loose stools, it's important to know when home diarrhea treatment is appropriate and when it's not.

If your dog has any of the following symptoms, you should call your veterinarian:

• Blood in stool.
• Loss of appetite.
• Repeated vomiting.
• Bloating or abdominal discomfort.
• Pain of any kind.
• Diarrhea is not improving after several days.

What it basically comes down to is this: If your dog is active, happy, alert, has good appetite and no symptoms other than diarrhea, this is most likely something you can treat at home. If, on the other hand, your dog is having bloody diarrhea or seems sick, it's time to call your vet. And if you're in any doubt as to the severity or type of your dog's symptoms, always contact your veterinarian just to be on the safe side.